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Billy James

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645
Rhythm In Every Guise

Billy James

Read "Billy James" reviewed by David A. Orthmann


Despite the fact that he never clamors for attention and seldom takes a solo, Billy James has a distinctive style of drumming that flourishes in the confines of the soul jazz idiom. His discography largely consists of recordings in the company of the legendary organist Don Patterson, along with other expansive, go-for-broke players like Sonny Stitt and Booker Ervin. Taken in its entirety, James' recorded output reveals a restless, unpredictable musician who is equal to his high profile associates. Unlike ...

143
Album Review

Sonny Stitt: Just the Way It Was: Live at the Left Bank

Read "Just the Way It Was: Live at the Left Bank" reviewed by AAJ Staff


To inaugurate his latest musical milestone--the starting of Label M--one of jazz’s most underrated production legends, Joel Dorn, has taken a set by his musical counterpart, the electrifying saxophonist Sonny Stitt, from the vaults of the Left Bank Jazz Society and put it back on vinyl (er- plastic). In doing so, he helps sustain the Society’s mission of keeping a jazzy light in the window for new and future generations.

From a sobbing rendition of "Cry Me ...

274
Album Review

Sonny Stitt: Just the Way It Was: "Live" at the Left Bank

Read "Just the Way It Was: "Live" at the Left Bank" reviewed by Matthew S. Robinson


To inaugurate his latest musical milestone, the starting of Label M, one of Jazz’s most underrated production legends, Joel Dorn, has taken a set of his musical counterpart, the electrifying saxophonist Sonny Stitt, from the vaults of the Left Bank Jazz Society and puts it back on vinyl (er... plastic) to sustain the Society’s mission of keeping a jazzy light in the window for new and future generations. From a sobbing rendition of “Cry Me a River" which is recognizable ...

258
Album Review

Sonny Stitt: Just The Way It Was - "Live" At The Left Bank

Read "Just The Way It Was - "Live" At The Left Bank" reviewed by AAJ Staff


Sonny Stitt is the other diamond in the deuce that Label M is releasing to introduce its brave new label. Another tenor sax powerhouse, Stan Getz, also is on the front line of releases. Each with his own distinctive sound, Stitt and Getz both knew how to command the attention of an audience in his own way. Getz did it through pleas and songs and unexpected accents and a comforting tone. Stitt did it through a groove and straightforward aggressive ...

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224

Obituary

Jazz Drummer Billy James Dies at 73

Jazz Drummer Billy James Dies at 73

Source: Michael Ricci

Legendary jazz drummer Billy James has died in Philadelphia at the age of 73. James died Friday night at Mercy Hospital after struggling with complications from asthma. That's according to his longtime girlfriend, Danita Lyburn. James was originally from Pittsburgh and played with jazz greats including Eddie “Lockjaw" Davis, Sonny Stitt, Don Patterson, Pat Martino, Bootsie Barnes, Eddie Harris, Houston Person and Etta Jones, The Groove ORGANization featuring Gene Ludwig, and many others. He was a long-time mainstay at Philadelphia ...

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